Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Central Maine

UPDATE: Traffic is back to normal in Augusta after a motorcyclist died in a crash Wednesday morning, temporarily closing the Western Avenue on-ramps in Augusta, said Maine State Police.

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ORIGINAL STORY:

A motorcyclist died in a crash Wednesday morning, closing the Western Avenue on-ramps in Augusta, said Maine State Police.

The crash involved a large truck at exit 109. The name of the victim has not been released. Police advise to find an alternate route to I-95 if planning to use the interstate in that area. The on-ramps are expected to be reopened by mid-morning.

The investigation continues. This story will be updated when information is available.

UPDATE - Press release from the Maine State Police:

State Police say a Hallowell man died this morning when he lost control of his motorcycle in Augusta. Troopers said 33 year old Edward Lingley was traveling too fast as he exited Interstate 95 and the bike slid on a sharp curve, and then struck the trailer portion of a tractor trailer in the opposite lane. Lingley was killed instantly. The crash took place shortly before 8 am at exit 109, just off the southbound lane. The truck was hauling an empty flatbed trailer and was operated by 43 year old Joseph Forsey of Shelbyville, IN, who was not injured. The exit and entrance lanes were closed for 2 ½ hours as troopers investigated the crash, but the Interstate lanes remained open.

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety said that was the eighth motorcycle death this month on Maine roads and brought this year’s total for motorcycle deaths to 19.

The Bureau said the overall highway death toll for the year is now 123, compared to 105 at this time last year. Highway Safety says August and September were deadly months on Maine roads -- 22 people died in traffic crashes in August, and there have been 23 highway deaths so far this month.